LSE vs BOCCONI

dacasale:

If you are planning to ever come out of Italy, go to LSE. It's a no brainer!! London IBs won't be very interested in getting an undergrad from Bocconi, when they can get as many MSc Finance and MSc Coporate Finance as they want. Even in those two programs (which are supposed to get the best guys from the undergrad) only 15-20% will manage to get a job in the City. LSE will give you a much higher chance without even having to do a master. In terms of reputation, think that most people in New York, Dubai or Hong Kong now about LSE, whereas almost nobody will know about Bocconi.

Do London IB's put greater emphasis on recruiting from the Bocconi MSc Fin than its undergrad program? Is this b/c Bocconi undergrad is only 3 years and most motivated students supplement it with the 2 year MSc afterwards?

also, where do the other 80% end up working? Milan? ( I can imagine that a lot of the eastern europeans who study there return to there home countries)

LLcoolJ:

Only a fool would choose Bocconi over LSE. Your major isn't really that important, aslong as its not something like "Gender Studies"

This

Bocconi is wonderful for finance, and is well-represented in the City and well-known throughout Europe, BUT LSE is LSE- it's internationally known and located in the heart of London.

Besides, you don't need to take economics/fin undergrad to do you IB (even though it is helpful for interviews)

Now, if you are interested in working in London OR Milan, then I suppose Bocconi is the sure bet.

Not true. Bocconi is extremely well-regarded for having a rigorous and technical program... It's absolutely a top school in Europe.

As long as the hiring climate is not terrible when you finish, you should have your choice if you graduate with good scores (i.e. hons) from either school.

On the MBA comment, this is not true. MBAs are not as necessary in Europe as in the US and many people have great banking careers with an undergrad degree or an MSc only (most people in Europe do some kind of masters degree)...

francesco.olivieri:

Thanks for your answers! I am tending towards LSE, simply because it is an opportunity which is given only to a very small amount of people. Bocconi is a good uni, but I feel loosing a chance if I dont go to LSE.

I would only like to ask some more little questions? Firstly, can anyone tell me the importance of the course, if I want to work directly after my bachelor, and the importance of the final mark of the uni if I instead want to do a master? Secondly, can someone tell me out of experience how tuff LSE is and atmosphere is like there (e.g. competative, arrogant..)? Finally, what are the costs of living for a student in London approximately?

Thanks in advance

London is a bit more expensive than Mila most masters and employers look for a minimum grade of 2:1 if you are doing a bachelors, the coursework is not as important as your grades and your school that being said, doing an economics or finance degree will certainly give you an advantage for recruiting

I'm probably not qualified to give you advice since I didn't go to either school so take this with a grain of salt: Bocconi is a great school and I see the advantage of studying away from home. Furthermore, if you are dedicated enough you will have a very good chance of getting a job in London/ getting into a good masters degree. However, if you want to work in London, I would surely take LSE. I think it will be much easier to get an internship between the bachelor and the masters and I think it will be easier to get into a masters programme at LSE which is perfect if you're looking to work in London. Furthermore, going abroad is a great experience. I did my bachelor degree abroad and left home when I was 18. I was not really ready for it but quickly grew into it and it really helped me grow up. I think this experience will be worth its weight in gold. I would definitely go for LSE.

The exit opportunities in finance coming from the LSE are (almost surely) better than any other school in Europe including Oxford and Cambridge.

The LSE is right in the middle of London, so it's incredibly easy for every bank and hedge fund in the city to recruit there. I went to the LSE, and my classmates work at all of the top banks (despite having graduated during the financial crisis) and hedge funds. And beyond recruiting for just the London offices, some of the banks (Citi, BAML, and Barclays off the top of my head) have special recruiting programmes for their New York offices for students at the LSE. Moreover, if you're interested in the buy side, the LSE hosts the world's largest student investment conference, with big names attending each year (think head of Blackstone, head of KKR, head of Carlyle, Soros himself, etc.).

In a similar vein, the LSE easily has the best speaker series in the world. I can't tell you how many presidents of countries I saw speak at the LSE (at least a dozen). Or how many times Soros spoke. Or Taleb. If they're going to be in London (those sorts of people are from time to time), and they're going to give a speech, they're going to give it at the LSE. It takes no effort for them to get there, so it's not a huge commitment for them.

Anyway, if you get in, I'd go to the LSE.

Good luck!

LSE, as you'll also actively improve your english while you're there

*tthanks for the 3 answers!

17-18 is a normal age to start undergrad in Europe. I know people who have started their masters at age 18. Others who are on their masters at 25. Ultimately doesn't really matter. It depends on where your parents sent you for grade school and on your individual preferneces. Bear in mind that people know it is much easier to get high grades in Italy than in other countries, and there is also a perception outside Italy that grades are "bought" about as commonly as they are earned. Admissions committees are aware of this, and make adjustments to your graduate school application accordingly.

In Europe and North America reputation of LSE is significantly better than reputation of Bocconi FYI. Only in Italy would I expect these two schools to be seen as roughly the same level.

Hi Giovanni, I think this thread may help you. I am a masters student at LSE and my friend (the thread starter) is at LSE. I would suggest choosing LSE since you have a good chance a top job.

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/lse-or-bocconi-msc-finance

I have attended Bocconi for a semester as part of my Erasmus program. There are great things about Bocconi:

1- Best Business School in Italy as well as a reference in Europe 2 - Great variety of subjects to choose from (from Bond and Equity Offering to Management Consulting) 3 - Apart from some subjects I found it easier than my (then) home university 4 - All the largest IB go there for recruiting (GS, JPM, MS), since many of them have offices in Milan 5 - The great majority of Italian bankers in London come from Bocconi (great networking potential)

I cant speak about LSE for my self but I do know a friend who did studied there for a summer or something and he really liked it.

That said, I believe that if you want to work in London, attending LSE will probably give you a head start since you are closer to a greater range of potential recruiters.

Thanks for sharing. i really appreciate it that you shared with us such a informative post..

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